The Shadow of the Past

"The Shadow of the Past" is a chapter from J.R.R. Tolkien’s *The Lord of the Rings*, where Gandalf recounts the history and dangers of the One Ring to Frodo. It explains how the Ring was created by the dark lord Sauron to dominate Middle-earth, and how it corrupts those who possess it. Gandalf reveals that the Ring has a perilous, ancient history, and that Sauron’s lingering influence threatens peace. This chapter emphasizes the importance of Frodo’s mission to destroy the Ring, highlighting its deep-rooted evil and the peril it presents to all.